2011 BMW M3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$55,900 to $67,550

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Overview

It’s too easy to address the glorious engine of the M3 and gloss over the real strong suit of the Deutsche Dagger – its handling. With a...

It’s too easy to address the glorious engine of the M3 and gloss over the real strong suit of the Deutsche Dagger – its handling. With a 4.0-liter V8 that produces 414 hp at an oxygen-deprived height of 8,300 rpm, it has to handle well, lest drivers end up stuffing it in their nearest apex. But skid-pad statistics don’t have the same visceral impact as dyno readouts, even when approaching 1g.

Not that 414 horses and a 4.5-second 0-60 time aren’t impressive, especially when they come from a naturally aspirated engine that winds up to more than 8,000 rpm. The fact that you can have that in a luxury vehicle in coupe, sedan, or convertible style only lends credence to the legendary status of this most famous of high-performance German automobiles. However, what the M3 has in horsepower, it lacks in torque. With 295 lb-ft, only the base 3 Series trim has less, and the M’s torque arrives later as well, at 3,900 rpm – but whip it like Devo said and she’ll go like crazy.

With the coupe, you’ll get a carbon-fiber roof that lowers both the car's profile and its center of gravity. If you’d like a bit more air and light, you can swap the carbon for a traditional steel roof with a sunroof, and there’s always the convertible option – although that comes with a large penalty for the trip to 60, mostly due to its 441-pound retractable power hardtop.

The M3 comes standard with a six-speed manual, but is offered with BMW’s M-DKG Getrag double-clutch gearbox, a seven-speed shiftable automatic that offers shifts in less than a tenth of a second and is claimed to reduce the car's 0-60 time by two tenths of a second. Still, it’s not a perfect system, as the transitions, especially in harsh downshifting, could use some smoothing. The six-speed has the familiar feather-light clutch, which some feel is even too light, but otherwise is a wholly competent and comfortable setup.

Coupes and sedans offer an optional Competition Package that includes 19-inch alloys with performance tires, a lowered and recalibrated suspension, stability control, and programmable Electronic Damping Control with Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes. Testers have found that Normal mode is a perfect blend, offering comfortable absorption with performance that will far surpass the ability and courage of most drivers out there.

Not forgetting the luxury part of its heritage, the BMW M3 offers several features and packages, including a Premium Package with power-folding automatic mirrors, Bluetooth, and BMW Assist. A Technology Package will get you EDC, keyless ignition and entry, and iDrive, and the Cold Weather Package includes heated front seats and headlight washers, although most options can be added as individual features to any trim.

The M3 keeps getting bigger, heavier, and, of course, faster. Still, it represents the best blend of luxury and performance in the segment, and nothing can touch its handling. This may be the last naturally aspirated M3 for a while, so the urgency is as high as it can get for something as unnecessary as a hyper-performance luxury car. If you’ve got an extra 60 grand lying around, and a desire for an inanimate object to show you just how inadequate your driving skills are, you can’t do better than the M3.

by Michael Perkins

Published May 31, 2022

What owners say

AI Summary · 14 reviews

"The 2011 BMW M3 is highly regarded for its exhilarating performance and engaging driving experience, especially due to its powerful V8 engine and precise handling. Owners appreciate the car's aggressive looks, comfortable interior, and responsive technology features. However, many express concerns about its fuel economy and high maintenance costs, particularly related to rod bearings and overall upkeep."

4.6

14 reviews

Write a review

by Ronald R

Love everything about this car. excellent daily driver or weekend car. trunk space is excellent for a coupe and the fact that the rear seats fold is very useful for food shopping or any luggage. Overall, the car is beautiful and performs very well. excellent car for long trips, the track or as a small family car that gets a lot of attention.

February 1, 2015

by bob b

This baby was one of my favorites of all time. I can't even begin to explain how fun this car is to drive. It fast and beautiful and sounds like a mean machine. It handles so well...rear wheel drive allows for spinning out, but then it corrects and corners like it's on rails. I would recommend this car to anyone.

March 24, 2015

by Kurtis A

I have owned a 2011 E92 M3 Competition Package for just shy of 5 years. This car has been nothing shy of a dream come true and I fully understand why they are becoming more and more sought after. 2011 was the first Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) year for the E9X M3 Coupe, and the first year that the Competition Package was offered. You cant go wrong with any year from 2008 - 2013, but 2011+ is typically deemed the most desirable with the various changes that were made for LCI that make it feel a little less dated. Whether you are a fan of the engaging 6-speed manual, or the very fast and sporty Dual Clutch, you are making the right choice either way. The options that were offered on this generation M3 made it very bespoke and its rare to find a car with the same exact specifications - this makes it that much more special to own. The driving experience is like none other. The high-revving 4.0L naturally-aspirated V8 is addicting. Even though this platform cant compete with cars that are being produced today in terms of speed & acceleration, the pure driving feel is enough to put power & torque on the sidelines and just enjoy driving the car. Even after 5 years of ownership, I have never been able to push the car to its limit, but a competent driver is always right on the edge of too far. The current generation M3s have too much power where you really cant use nearly all of it safely. The E9X M3 chassis was truly the perfect just the right amount to enjoy on the edge, but never feel unsafe doing so. I cant say enough good things about this car, and everyone who has owned a well taken care of example (hint hint) knows that you dont just own one of these cars, you are a caretaker of what I absolutely consider the best generation M3 ever built.

June 12, 2024